Pongal
Pongal is the harvest festival of Tamil Nadu. People extend their tribute to
the Sun, Nature and the Cattle wealth for helping them with a rich harvest and
Prosperity. The traditional preparation of 'Pongal' i.e. boiling rice with jaggery
and milk, takes place at every home. At dawn on this day families everywhere
gather around a new earthen pot. As the pot of milk boils over, signifying prosperity,
a shout of "Pongalo Pongal" rents the air. This thanks- giving festival
is celebrated on the first day of the Tamil Month Thai (Middle Of January).
Tourist Fair ( Fairlands or Island Garounds - Chennai )
In January, the sun gets into a pleasant holiday mood and Chennai gets a cool
respite from her famous hot weather ! Time for family outings to the colourful
Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation Trade Fair. The exhibition presents
a panorama of Tamil Nadu - all her places of tourist interest, her cultural
wealth and economic progress.
Chithirai Festival - Madurai
The Chithirai Festival is held in the famous Madurai temple, 500 kms. from Chennai.
Starts from the Tamil month Chithirai, and ends on the tenth day. Madurai brings
you a spectacular re-enactment of the marriage of the Pandiyan princess Meenakshi
to Lord Sundareswarar. You can witness an ancient legend unfold right before
your eyes as Lord Vishnu rides to his sister's wedding on gleaming real-gold
horse chariot The celebration is filled with pomp and festivity. The Kallagar
entering the river Vaigai is indeed a spectacular soul-ful sight.
Dance Festivals - Mamallapuram
The Dance Festival starts on the 25th of December every year and conducted on
all Saturdays. Sundays and Government holidays, upto February first week. Sit
before an open-air 'stage' created 13 centuries ago the incredible monolithic
rock sculptures of the Pallavas, next to the sea in this ancient city of Mamallapuram.
Lovers of dance will be treated to a very unique and unforgettably aesthetic
event : Bharatha Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali and Odissi, presented by the very
best exponents of the art besides folk dances.
Natyanjail Dance Festivals
Starts from the day of Mahashivarathri for 5 days. Chidambaram is situated along
the coast of the Bay of Bengal, 75 kms. south of Pondicherry. The temple city
of Chidambaram pays special tribute to Lord Nataraja the 'Cosmic dancer'. The
setting is truly divine-Chidambaram's gold-roofed temple, with pillars depicting
Lord Nataraja in 108 poses from Bharatha Natyam - Tamil Nadu's classical dance.
Mahamagam Festival
A holy festival that will bring you to Kumbakonam once in 12 years - the temple
city that gets its name from "Kumbha" - the divine pot. Legend has
it that Brahma, the Creator, held a pot containing nectar and the seed of creation.
Shiva. in the form of a hunter shot an arrow at the pot - spilling the nectar
into the famous Mahamagam tank at the Adi Kumbeswarar Temple.
Aurbathimoovar Festival
Literally, 'Arubathimoovar' refers to the 63 saints of Shiva canonised for leading
exemplary lives of devotion and penance. Bronze figures of these 63 saints adorn
the magnificent Kapaliswar Temple at Mylapore, Chennai. Once, every year, they
are carried in a colourful procession through the streets of Mylapore.
Summer Festivals
The summer festival might find you in the 'Queen of Hill Stations', the evergreen
Ooty; the exquisite Kodaikkanal or the salubrious heights of Yercaud - where
boat races, flower and fruit shows are specially organised. Also, a splendid
opportunity to go trekking in any of Tamil Nadu's other hill stations that promise
unforgettable holidays off the beaten track.
Saral Vizha ( Kuttalm or Courtallm )
A festival that makes a celebration out of a simple, daily ritualbathing ! And
indeed, a bath at the picturesque Courtallam waterfalls is no ordinary event.
The healing waters of the roaring Courtallam are famed for their medicinal properties.
Kanthuri Festival
A truly secular festival - where devotees flock to the shrine of saint Quadirwali,
believed to do equal good to people of all faiths. One of the descendants of
the Saint is chosen as a Peer or spiritual leader and is honoured with offerings.
On the tenth day of the festival, the Saint's tomb is annointed with sandalwood
- and later the holy sandal paste, renowned for its healing powers, is distributed
to everyone.
Kavadi Festival
Dancing in a hypnotic trance to the rhythm of drums, devotees of Muruga carry
the 'Kavadi' a flower decked decoration, all the way up the Palani Hills to
fulfil their vow. According to Hindu mythology, Idumban is said to have carried
two sacred hillocks on two ends of a pole placed on his shoulders.
Velankanni Festival
Wondrous legends surround the church-the most famous being that of the ship-wrecked
Portuguese sailors, who in the 16th century, vowed to build a great shrine for
the Virgin Mary, for saving their lives in a terrible storm. The Velankanni
festival attracts thousands, clad in orange robes to the sacred spot where the
ship landed. Equally famous are the Virgin Mary's miraculous healing powers
- earning for the church the name 'Lourdes of the East'.
Navarathri
Literally, this means the festival of 'nine nights' taking unique and different
forms in different states of India - all to propitiate the goddess Sakthi, for
power, wealth and knowledge
Karthigai Deepam
Rows of glittering earthen lamps outside every home, and the joyous burst of
fire crackers mark Tamil Nadu's Festival of Lights.
Music Festival
Come December, Chennai celebrates her priceless heritage of caruatic, music
and dance to present a galaxy of star artistes,old and new.
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